Iceland

How ethical is Iceland?

Iceland is one of The Good Shopping Guide’s leading ethical Supermarkets. The brand receives an excellent Good Shopping Guide Ethical Score in our Ethical Supermarkets Ratings Table and therefore passes our Ethical Benchmark as an ethical brand.

We encourage other companies in the Ethical Supermarkets sector to follow Iceland’s example and adopt more ethical guidelines and methods.

What does Iceland do?

Iceland is a British supermarket business with its corporate headquarters in Deeside, Wales (formally Iceland Foods Ltd.). Along with non-frozen grocery products like produce, meat, dairy, and dry goods, it mostly sells frozen foods, such as prepared dinners and veggies. The Food Warehouse retail chain is run by the same corporation.

In what areas does Iceland perform well? 

The brand received a top rating in most of our research assessment areas such as Environmental Report, Animal Welfare, Political Donations and Genetic Modification.

In what areas does Iceland perform poorly? 

Due to an absence of certified organic, Fairtrade and plant-based products in Iceland stores, Iceland receives a bottom rating in the Organic, Fairtrade and Vegetarian/vegan categories.

Iceland also receives a bottom rating for Animal Welfare, due to its association with suppliers accused of animal abuse.

What can Iceland do to improve its score? 

Iceland’s score in The Good Shopping Guide’s Supermarkets Ethical Ratings Table is the result of a calculation of multiple ethical criteria. Even though its below-benchmark score means that Iceland cannot yet be classed as one of the UK’s most sustainable supermarkets, we still encourage it to apply for Ethical Accreditation. The Good Shopping Guide would offer Iceland an assessment and some guidance on how it can improve its score and become one of our most ethical supermarket brands.

Would your Supermarket brand benefit from Ethical Accreditation? The Good Shopping Guide’s Ratings Tables show which other brands within the Ethical Supermarkets sector have received our ethics and sustainability accreditation. If you would like more information about Ethical Accreditation, contact us or fill out a Free Initial Assessment.